Greensboro, N.C. -- As Hurricane Sandy hits the coast, people in the Triad are preparing to help people in the storm's path.
The Red Cross has already sent a handful of volunteers to help with shelters and other needs in the affected areas. Jim Guidone, from Greensboro, arrived on the coast of Delaware on Saturday. Guidone has helped with five other hurricanes.
"I've been fortunate throughout my life to be safe for the most part. This is an opportunity for me to give back and help people who, through no fault of their own, are put in harm's way," Guidone said. "People know this is the real deal. I wouldn't say they're nervous. But, they're cautious. They're listening to the local authorities. The streets are empty. People are staying home or in shelters. It's going to be a long hurricane. This is going to go on for a couple of days."
Melanie McDonough from the Greensboro American Red Cross said volunteers like Guidone go through extensive training to prepare to help in these kinds of situations.
"We want to make sure that we train you so that when you're in Jersey, or wherever you're deployed to, you know exactly what to do in these situations, and so you don't cause any harm to yourself or anyone else," McDonough said.
Duke Energy is telling its linemen to come to work Tuesday with enough clothes and supplies to stretch for seven days. Power companies have requested thousands of lineman from nearby states to help restore power if and when the lights go out. Right now, Triad area Duke Energy employees are staying put because the company wants to make sure they are not needed locally, first.
The Second Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army are also monitoring the storm. Both agencies are waiting until the storm hits before deciding how to deploy resources that are needed.